UK - Don't Give Fossil Fuel Industry Enormous Tax Break
- by: Judith B.
- recipient: George Osborne, Chancellor of the Exchequer UK
In yet another move seemingly designed to show that the UK's current government is not in the least "the greenest government ever", the Chancellor of the Exchequer has promised the oil and gas industry a three billion pound tax break.
This extremely generous gesture is to encourage drilling in, so far, pristine waters off Scotland. Drilling destroys and disturbs marine habitats and of course there is always the risk of oil spills, not to mention the inevitable chemical and noise pollution. Noise pollution in the oceans is far more serious than it might sound, as it interferes with the communication and navigation systems of creatures ranging from plankton to whales.
With the economy in trouble, the last thing the government should be spending money on is the fossil fuel industry with its accompanying destruction of our environment. Tell George Osborne to reconsider this outrageous use of taxpayer's money.
UPDATE: On the 25th of March, a massive gas leak that could take 6 months to plug was discovered at a platform off the Aberdeenshire coast.
We the undersigned ask that you reconsider the planned 3 billion pound tax break for the oil and gas industry. Without even going into the serious environmental impact of more drilling off Scotland, this is an outrageous use of taxpayer's money. When cutbacks are being made to essential social services, the last place that needs more spending is the fossil fuel industry, which consists of already highly profitable corporations. This also goes directly against the UK's pledge to cut carbon emissions and the coalition government's promise to be "the greenest ever". We ask that you stop this planned tax break as a matter of urgency.
Thank you for your attention.
